Folate may help heart patients

Folate, a vitamin that helps make the genetic material in cells and considered essential for pregnant women, may also help heart patients, a U.S. expert said.

Janice Hermann, an Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension nutrition specialist, said folate works with vitamin B12 to make red blood cells, assists in preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida in infants and may help protect against heart disease.

If you have a low intake of folate, you may have anemia, weakness and fatigue, Hermann said in a statement. Not consuming enough folate, before and early in pregnancy, may increase the risk of having an infant with neural tube defects.

Good sources of folate include liver, legumes, green-leafy vegetables and citrus fruits and juices. Many breads, cereals and grain products also are fortified with folate, Hermann said.

Hermann said the daily recommendations for folate are:

– Men age 19 and older; 400 micrograms per day.

– Women age 19 and older; 400 micrograms per day.

– Women who are pregnant 600 micrograms per day.

– Women who are breastfeeding 500 micrograms per day.

Because excess folate can mask symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, a tolerable upper intake level of 1,000 micrograms per day has been established for folate from fortified foods or supplements.